27 Juli 2012

Exercise Pitch Black 12 takes off in Northern Territory

Up to 100
military aircraft will be in the Northern Territory from July 27 until August
17 as the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hosts international partners for
Exercise Pitch Black 12.

With 2200
participants coming from across Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, New
Zealand and the United States, Exercise Pitch Black will be held from RAAF
Bases Darwin and Tindal.

Air
Commander Australia, Air Vice Marshal Mel Hupfeld, said the biennial exercise
would this year feature a mix of first-time and returning participants, making
it the most advanced in the event’s 22-year history.

“For the
first time at Exercise Pitch Black, Australia will be fielding the Super
Hornet, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, and KC-30A
Multi-Role Tanker Transport,” he said.

“The
Indonesian Air Force will make its debut appearance at Exercise Pitch Black 12,
and we’re very excited to see it attend with its Sukhoi Flanker fighter
aircraft.

“Singapore
has been a regular participant and will this year bring its F-15SG Eagle and
Gulfstream G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft,” AVM Hupfeld said.

Participants
at Exercise Pitch Black 12 will utilise massive military training areas near
Bradshaw and Delamere to practice offensive counter air and offensive air
support operations with large formations of foreign aircraft.

“Regionally
and geographically, the Northern Territory is ideally placed for exercise
participants to bring together large formations of aircraft to conduct complex
operations,” AVM Hupfeld said.

“Conducting
Exercise Pitch Black 12 is a massive undertaking, not just for aircrews and
maintainers but also for the planning that is involved.”

During
Exercise Pitch Black 12, Air Force will conduct a handling display with an
F/A-18 ‘Classic’ Hornet over Mindil Beach Markets on August 9. An Open Day at
RAAF Base Darwin will be held on August 11 for the Darwin community.

“Air Force
has a deep bond with the Northern Territory extending back to 1938, and holding
these events is our way of extending a sincere thank you to the public for its
support,” AVM Hupfeld said.